Ritz vs Waldorf vs JW Marriott

[LisaT91403]

We (DH, myself, DS(6) and Grandma) are planning a 2-night, pre-cruise stay in January, and are considering these 3 properties. The Four Seasons looks amazing, but it's much, much more expensive than these other properties.

We are not sure yet what we are doing on our "free day" (Friday, Jan 2nd). If it's pool weather, we might just stay at the resort. Or, we might try to go to AK for the day. We will have a rental car, and are not worried about convenience or transportation in regards to the parks when we make our hotel decision. We are really most concerned about the "nicest" rooms, most comfortable beds, and great service.

Any thoughts are most welcome

 

[DPickering]

No experience with the JW Marriott rooms but between those two hotels on our dates, Jan 2-4, the Ritz Carlton is twice as much. I see the W-A for $272. Both are great hotels. RC is a bit better, better service. Rooms are a toss up. RC since the reno has really nice rooms. W-A is I think newer overall. Edge to RC for feeling more luxurious but W-A rooms seem bigger.

I like how at the RC you can go over to the JW Marriott, use the pool, lazy river, listen to all the screaming kids, and then when you want to relax come back to the RC, which is usually much calmer. But at that price difference I'd pick the W-A. Good all around. Better sound proofing.

 

[LisaT91403]

Yes, from a price perspective...the Ritz is definitely the most expensive. When you factor in parking and resort fees, the JW is definitely the best deal...about $90 less (total for the stay, NOT per night) than WA. And for that price, the JW includes full breakfast and an upgraded view...whereas it would just be a standard room and no breakfast at WA.

The Ritz is almost double the JW, so I'm thinking that's not worth it? It's probably a question of whether or not the WA is worth the extra money over the JW.

 

[DPickering]

Hard to say.
Between your given options based on what I've read and being around the property if I was with kids I'd stay at the JW. If it was just me and my wife we'd do the W-A again.

 

[brunette8706]

Yes, from a price perspective...the Ritz is definitely the most expensive. When you factor in parking and resort fees, the JW is definitely the best deal...about $90 less (total for the stay, NOT per night) than WA. And for that price, the JW includes full breakfast and an upgraded view...whereas it would just be a standard room and no breakfast at WA.

The Ritz is almost double the JW, so I'm thinking that's not worth it? It's probably a question of whether or not the WA is worth the extra money over the JW.

*
I agree. We stayed at the JW and it was absolutely gorgeous! The RC and JW are sister hotels on the same property and in my opinion the guest room and the lobby at JW was just beautiful. The lobby at the JW was hands down gorgeous, prettier than the RC in my opinion. You can beat the JW and it is so much less than the RC. My vote is JW!

 

[MattM]

First, you won't make a bad decision out of any of these options. The JW Marriott and Rizt Carlton are right next door to each other, and share grounds comprising Grande Lakes (you can use both pools, etc when you stay at one of the resorts). Here's how I'd break it down. Nicest rooms: Ritz. Nicest overall resort (pools, etc): JW Marriott. Best location (in terms of location to Disney): Waldorf. The service between the 3 are equal.

My overall recommendation? I'd stay at the Ritz or the JW Marriott. The rooms are nicer at the Ritz, but the JW rooms are perfectly nice as well. If you wanted to save a little money, you can stay the JW Marriott and use the Ritz's amenities (although your child may enjoy the lazy river at the JW).

We, as locals, stay at one of the Grande Lakes resorts all the time for "staycations" and many locals do. But like I said earlier, you won't go wrong with any of those options.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.

 

[LisaT91403]

First, you won't make a bad decision out of any of these options. The JW Marriott and Rizt Carlton are right next door to each other, and share grounds comprising Grande Lakes (you can use both pools, etc when you stay at one of the resorts). Here's how I'd break it down. Nicest rooms: Ritz. Nicest overall resort (pools, etc): JW Marriott. Best location (in terms of location to Disney): Waldorf. The service between the 3 are equal.

My overall recommendation? I'd stay at the Ritz or the JW Marriott. The rooms are nicer at the Ritz, but the JW rooms are perfectly nice as well. If you wanted to save a little money, you can stay the JW Marriott and use the Ritz's amenities (although your child may enjoy the lazy river at the JW).

We, as locals, stay at one of the Grande Lakes resorts all the time for "staycations" and many locals do. But like I said earlier, you won't go wrong with any of those options.

Hope that helps, let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you -- it does help quite a bit!

Based on the info I've gotten here, I've decided to eliminate the Ritz as one of the options. It is almost twice as expensive as the JW, and I don't think it will be worth it (for us) to pay such a big premium.

I'm not deciding between the JW and WA. The JW is a little less expensive (less than $100 for the stay), but would include breakfast. The rooms at the WA are a little bit bigger than the JW, and it is also a much newer hotel. I like new The pool at the Hilton looks really nice. I don't mind being a bit further away from Disney, as we would only be going to the park for one day if at all.

So it boils down to saving a little bit of money at JW, or having a newer/bigger room at the WA...with access to the Hilton pool. Decisions, decisions!

 

[Aurora0427]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but which hotel is closer to WDW? I'm trying to figure out where these hotels are exactly.

OP: Our friends stayed at the WA back in March, and loved it. FWIW!

 

[shoppgirl]

We have stayed at the WA three times and absolutely loved it!!! It is also the closest of the three discussed in this thread to the Disney parks. We always book a regular room and when we get there we ask to upgrade to a One bedroom suite for a small, but well worth it fee! We always have a theme park view room and can catch a bit of the fireworks from Epcot. The pools are fabulous too! We always go over to use the Hilton's lazy river, but always end up coming right back to the WA pool! It's just so much more relaxing there.